Page 38 of She's Mine

“Agreed. David, I admire the strength it must have taken for you to become a security guard. I don’t think I’d have lasted a day,” Lawrence said.

David laughed. “I feel the same when I see you in the kitchen. Sure, I can handle the basics, but you’re a master.”

“I think I’d take the heat of a kitchen, and the associated risks of needing to shoot people any day of the week,” I mused, as we headed upstairs to freshen up before Lawrence got started on dinner.

Once David and I were alone in … well, it had fast become ‘our’ room now. I never slept in the guestroom anymore, and I’d moved almost all my clothes and toiletries into David’s room too. The only things I’d left in the guestroom which had been mine when I first came to the cabin were my art supplies, and I now used the room as a make-shift studio. It’s where I came when I wanted to work on my drawings and designs, or if I needed some peace and quiet away from everyone else.

David wrapped his arms around me, and said, “You did well in the range today. I’m confident by the time we leave here, you’ll be able to defend yourself.”

I kissed David quickly, then said, “That’s good. And about that … how much longer do you think we’ll be here? Don’t get me wrong, Ilovespending time with you here, but it’s been over a month.”

David sighed. “I know. I spoke to Jeffrey this morning, and they think they’re getting closer. Hopefully we won’t be here too much longer.”

There was more I wanted to say, about what we might do when the Bloodline were finally caught, and we had our freedom back. I’d been so worried about David the night before, and it was becoming increasingly clear there’s no way our relationship could end once we left here. But, well, I’d never felt like this about a guy before, and I was scared of voicing my feelings in case David didn’t feel the same way.

17

DAVID

“We’re going on vacation,” I announced proudly over breakfast one morning.

It was a week since the burglary, and life in the cabin had gotten back to normal, or as normal as life could be when you were hiding from a dangerous cartel.

It also happened that a plan I’d put into motion a few weeks ago had finally come to fruition.

Alyssa stared at me over the rim of her coffee cup, her brows knitting together as she said, “We are?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “We are. Ever since you mentioned the vacations your dad took you and your brother on as children, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I ordered some supplies, and well, I’ve got together a tent and some other stuff so we can go camping. I know it will have to be within the property grounds, but well, it’s big enough that we can at leastpretendwe’re out in the wilderness.”

I was delighted when Alyssa’s confused expression morphed into a grin. “I love it. That sounds perfect. Thank you, David.”

As we ate breakfast, we discussed with Lawrence him making up a couple of coolers of non-perishable food, so that we could get the real camping experience. My chef was as accommodating as ever, and even managed to produce some chocolate, Graham crackers and marshmallows, so that Alyssa and I would be able to make our own s’mores.

While Lawrence and Mavis prepared the coolers, Alyssa and I packed a couple of backpacks with clothing, and other necessities we’d need. I’d already ordered a tent, and sleeping bags, as well as a small, portable grill and some other equipment so that we could cook and make fires.

With everything packed and ready to go, we left Mavis and Lawrence in charge of the cabin and headed off into the wilderness.

Alyssa and I had hiked in my grounds a few times since coming to the cabin, so there were plenty of trails we knew well. One of our favorite places was by a brook that fed into the nearby Lake Arrowhead, and it was there that we headed.

It was just before lunchtime when we arrived at the brook, and we stopped to make camp. We had a quick bite to eat first, and then set up the tent and other things we’d need. After the tent was set up, we explored a little further, making note of a trail we wanted to try the following day.

While the hike to the brook wasn’t long or difficult, it had been more exhausting than usual because we had so much stuff with us, so that night, Alyssa and I decided to have dinner early. I set up the portable grill, while Alyssa found out some of the food Lawrence had prepared for us. I always kept a stock of non-perishable food just in case I got stuck in the cabin, and cut off from the outside world, and it was some of that stuff which Lawrence had packed for me and Alyssa.

I poured two cans of chili con carne into a saucepan, and heated it up on the grill, as Alyssa warmed some vacuum-packed cornbread to go with it.

The sun had just set, and the first stars were appearing as Alyssa, and I snuggled by the campfire to enjoy our dinner. Though not as amazing as Lawrence’s cooking, the canned chili was still full of flavor and made an enjoyable meal. Afterwards, we cooked s’mores on the campfire, and cuddled under a blanket as we watched the stars.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” Alyssa said, gazing up at the full moon overhead.

“Yeah, I love it here, and being with you makes it even better.” I moved in closer, wrapping my arms around Alyssa as our lips met.

Alyssa and I sank onto the sleeping bags, as our hands roved over each other’s bodies, and we removed each other’s clothing. The night air around us was warm, and thanks to the campfire, even when we were completely naked, we weren’t cold.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of Alyssa’s body as it was illuminated by both firelight and the moonlight from above. I wished I’d brought a camera with me so that I could have taken a picture. Instead, I trailed my fingertips over her skin, committing every inch of her body to memory.

With every day that passed, my feelings for Alyssa grew stronger, and after the failed burglary attempt the previous week, my protective feelings towards her had only increased. I never wanted to leave her side. And while I wanted the Bloodline to be caught, and for Alyssa and her family to be safe, part of me never wanted to leave this blissful bubble we were in.

Maybe part of that was because I was still eager to avoid what might come next.

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